In the days following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, there was everywhere for the wandering mind to travel. Eight construction workers had been repairing the bridge when it plummeted into the river. Federal authorities held a press conference, revealing the timeline of events, which ended at 01:29:39 a.m. That’s when the pilot of the Dali had contacted the U.S. Coast Guard via radio to report that the bridge was down. It would be another ten minutes before firefighters began the water rescue. More time would pass before they requested additional resources. Twenty-two minutes later, they began to realize the scope of the rescue effort. Two of those construction workers managed to survive. Six others had been searched for but eventually presumed dead. By Thursday, first responders had found two of the six bodies among the wreckage. Would those ten minutes have made any difference?

Lawmakers have cleared a path for $60 million in aid to pay for emergency work, but it remains unclear if that money can address the full scope of the damage. Companies have already begun rerouting their cargo to other ports as the cacophony of recovery efforts filled the air. The truss bridge that once greeted ships and visitors has deposited fear in the hearts of port workers grappling with the possibility that they might not be able to pay their bills. In the end, the collapsed artery of a busy city may require more than financial surgery to repair.

About the Author 

Maggie Ybarra is a Newscast Producer at WBFF Fox45 and a former editor for The National Interest.

Image: National Transportation Safety Board / Public Domain.